Deleterious Effects of Heat Stress on the Tomato, Its Innate Responses, and Potential Preventive Strategies in the Realm of Emerging Technologies.

The tomato is a fruit vegetable rich in nutritional and medicinal value grown in greenhouses and fields worldwide. It is severely sensitive to heat stress, which frequently occurs with rising global warming. Predictions indicate a 0.2 °C increase in average surface temperatures per decade for the next three decades, which underlines the threat of austere heat stress in the future. Previous studies have reported that heat stress adversely affects tomato growth, limits nutrient availability, hammers photosynthesis, disrupts reproduction, denatures proteins, upsets signaling pathways, and damages cell membranes. The overproduction of reactive oxygen species in response to heat stress is toxic to tomato plants. The negative consequences of heat stress on the tomato have been the focus of much investigation, resulting in the emergence of several therapeutic interventions. However, a considerable distance remains to be covered to develop tomato varieties that are tolerant to current heat stress and durable in the perspective of increasing global warming. This current review provides a critical analysis of the heat stress consequences on the tomato in the context of global warming, its innate response to heat stress, and the elucidation of domains characterized by a scarcity of knowledge, along with potential avenues for enhancing sustainable tolerance against heat stress through the involvement of diverse advanced technologies. The particular mechanism underlying thermotolerance remains indeterminate and requires further elucidatory investigation. The precise roles and interplay of signaling pathways in response to heat stress remain unresolved. The etiology of tomato plants' physiological and molecular responses against heat stress remains unexplained. Utilizing modern functional genomics techniques, including transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, can assist in identifying potential candidate proteins, metabolites, genes, gene networks, and signaling pathways contributing to tomato stress tolerance. Improving tomato tolerance against heat stress urges a comprehensive and combined strategy including modern techniques, the latest apparatuses, speedy breeding, physiology, and molecular markers to regulate their physiological, molecular, and biochemical reactions.

Longitudinal associations between the frequency of playing Mahjong and cognitive functioning among older people in China: evidence from CLHLS, 2008-2018.

Background: Cognitive decline is prevalent among older adults, often resulting in decreased capabilities for self-care and a diminished quality of life. Mahjong, a culturally cherished and extensively played intellectual game in China, demands considerable cognitive function. While the cognitive benefits of playing Mahjong have been widely accepted, this study investigates an under explored aspect and aimed to ascertain the game's potential contributions toward bolstering self-care abilities, enhancing overall quality of life, and mitigating against rising societal healthcare costs. Methods: The data analyzed in the study is collected from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) with cognitive functioning being assessed through the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). The frequency of playing Mahjong was measured through a self-reported questionnaire. Multiple linear regression models, latent variable growth models, and cross-lagged models were used to investigate the longitudinal relationship between game frequency and cognitive function in older people. Results: Of the 7,535 participants, the mean (SD) age was 81.96 (10.53) years. There were 7,308 (97%), 4,453 (59%), and 1,974 (26%) participants in 2011, 2014, and 2018, respectively. The results showed that Mahjong players had significantly higher MMSE scores compared to non-players from 2008 to 2018 (ß = 0.893; p < 0.001), and non-players had significantly lower scores in 2011, 2014, and 2018 than in 2008 (ß = -1.326, -0.912, -0.833; Ps > 0.05). Moreover, the frequency of playing Mahjong was associated with improved various cognitive domains. The declining frequency of playing Mahjong was substantially associated with the declining rate of MMSE scores (r = 0.336; p < 0.001). Mahjong frequency showed positive effects on MMSE scores, while the influence of Mahjong on MMSE scores were not significant. Conclusion: Playing Mahjong has a positive influence on the cognitive functioning among older people. It can help buffer against the decline in cognitive function and maintain cognitive function levels. The higher frequency of playing Mahjong is associated with improved reaction, attention and calculation, and self-coordination. A decline in the frequency of playing Mahjong was associated with a declining rate of cognitive function. The higher frequency of playing Mahjong among older people unilaterally influenced the improvement of cognitive function levels in older people in China.

Hybrid cortical bone trajectory and modified cortical bone trajectory techniques in transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion at L4-L5 segment: A finite element analysis.

Background: The academia has increasingly acknowledged the superior biomechanical performance of the hybrid fixation technique in recent years. However, there is a lack of research on the hybrid fixation technique using BCS (Bilateral Cortical Screws) and BMCS (Bilateral Modified Cortical Screws). This study aims to investigate the biomechanical performance of the BCS and BMCS hybrid fixation technique in transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) at the L4-L5 segment in a complete lumbar-sacral finite element model. Methods: Three cadaver specimens are used to construct three lumbar-sacral finite element models. The biomechanical properties of various fixation technologies (BCS-BCS, BMCS-BMCS, BMCS-BCS, and BCS-BMCS) are evaluated at the L4-5 segment with a TLIF procedure conducted, including the range of motion (ROM) of the L4-5 segment, as well as the stress experienced by the cage, screws, and rods. The testing is conducted under specific loading conditions, including a compressive load of 400 N and a torque of 7.5Nm, subjecting the model to simulate flexion, extension, lateral bending, and rotation. Results: No significant variations are seen in the ROM at the L4-5 segment when comparing the four fixation procedures during flexion and extension. However, when it comes to lateral bending and rotation, the ROM is ordered in descending order as BCS-BCS, BCS-BMCS, BMCS-BMCS, and BMCS-BCS. The maximum stress experienced by the cage is observed to be highest within the BMCS-BCS technique during movements including flexion, extension, and lateral bending. Conversely, the BMCS-BMCS technique exhibits the highest cage stress levels during rotational movements. The stress applies to the screws and rods order the sequence of BCS-BCS, BCS-BMCS, BMCS-BCS, and BMCS-BMCS throughout all four working conditions. Conclusion: The BMCS-BCS technique shows better biomechanical performance with less ROM and lower stress on the internal fixation system compared to other fixation techniques. BMCS-BMCS technology has similar mechanical performance to BMCS-BCS but has more contact area between screws and cortical bone, making it better for patients with severe osteoporosis.

A quick and effective method for thermostability differentiation in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.).

High temperature affects the growth and production of cucumber. Selecting thermotolerant cucumber cultivars is conducive to coping with high temperatures and improving production. Thus, a quick and effective method for screening thermotolerant cucumber cultivars is needed. In this study, four cucumber cultivars were used to identify heat resistance indexes. The morphological, physiological and biochemical indexes were measured. When exposed to high temperatures, thermotolerant cucumber had a more stable photosystem, membrane, and oxidation-reduction systems. The impact of high temperatures on plants is multifaceted, and the accurate discrimination of heat resistance cannot be achieved solely based on a single or multiple indicators. Therefore, principal component analysis (PCA) was employed to comprehensively evaluate the heat resistance of cucumber plants. The results showed that the heat resistance obtained by PCA was significantly correlated with the heat injury index. In addition, the stepwise regression equation identified two heat-related indices, hydrogen peroxide content (H2 O2 ) and photosynthetic operating efficiency (Fq'/Fm'), and they can quickly distinguish the heat resistance of the other 8 cucumber cultivars. These results will help to accelerate the selection of thermotolerant resources and assist in cucumber breeding.

The Method of Portal Making in Lumbar Unilateral Biportal Endoscopic Surgery with Different Operative Approaches According to the Constant Anatomical Landmarks of the Lumbar Spine: A Review of the Literature.

STUDY DESIGN: Review. OBJECTIVE: Unilateral Biportal Endoscopy (UBE) is a minimally invasive surgery that is gaining recognition and being employed in clinical practice. Nevertheless, the precise method for determining UBE portals' location varies depending on the originator's preferences or the anatomical structure's proximity to the portal positions. Consequently, the relationship among UBE portals' locations is messy. This study aims to elaborate on the specific portal localization and explore the positional association and commonality among different UBE approaches' portals. METHODS: The following keywords are used to search in the PubMed, Ovid, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, Scopus, CNKI, and Wanfang database: "Biportal endoscopic spinal surgery", "Two portal endoscopic spinal surgery", "Percutaneous biportal endoscopic decompression", "Unilateral biportal endoscopy", "Irrigation endoscopic discectomy", "UBE" and "BESS". RESULTS: After screening, 29 pieces of literature are included. The study summarizes different UBE approach portal localizations, categorized by fusion or non-fusion surgery and pathological classification. The study presents an inaugural method for categorizing the lumber into four surgical intervals based on bone landmarks and assigns different UBE approaches to the appropriate intervals based on their characteristics, making the selection of UBE surgical approaches' portal locations more flexible. Additionally, the study provides an overview of the indications, complications, and distinct benefits associated with each interval, further refining the novel UBE portal interval localization method. CONCLUSION: The study clarifies the interrelationship and commonality between the portals of different UBE approaches and proposes a new UBE portal interval localization method to enhance surgeons' understanding and proficiency in UBE procedures.

A putative E3 ubiquitin ligase substrate receptor degrades transcription factor SmNAC to enhance bacterial wilt resistance in eggplant.

Bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum is a severe soil-borne disease globally, limiting the production in Solanaceae plants. SmNAC negatively regulated eggplant resistance to Bacterial wilt (BW) though restraining salicylic acid (SA) biosynthesis. However, other mechanisms through which SmNAC regulates BW resistance remain unknown. Here, we identified an interaction factor, SmDDA1b, encoding a substrate receptor for E3 ubiquitin ligase, from the eggplant cDNA library using SmNAC as bait. SmDDA1b expression was promoted by R. solanacearum inoculation and exogenous SA treatment. The virus-induced gene silencing of the SmDDA1b suppressed the BW resistance of eggplants; SmDDA1b overexpression enhanced the BW resistance of tomato plants. SmDDA1b positively regulates BW resistance by inhibiting the spread of R. solanacearum within plants. The SA content and the SA biosynthesis gene ICS1 and signaling pathway genes decreased in the SmDDA1b-silenced plants but increased in SmDDA1b-overexpression plants. Moreover, SmDDB1 protein showed interaction with SmCUL4 and SmDDA1b and protein degradation experiments indicated that SmDDA1b reduced SmNAC protein levels through proteasome degradation. Furthermore, SmNAC could directly bind the SmDDA1b promoter and repress its transcription. Thus, SmDDA1b is a novel regulator functioning in BW resistance of solanaceous crops via the SmNAC-mediated SA pathway. Those results also revealed a negative feedback loop between SmDDA1b and SmNAC controlling BW resistance.

Biomechanical evaluation of modified and traditional cortical bone trajectory technique on adjacent segment degeneration in transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion-finite element analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Modified cortical bone trajectory (MCBT) technique was proposed by our team in previous studies, but its biomechanical properties at adjacent segments have not been discussed yet. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the biomechanical properties of modified cortical bone trajectory (MCBT) technique on adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) in transforaminal intradiscal lumbar disc fusion (TLIF) compare to traditional bone trajectory (TT) technique and cortical bone trajectory (CBT) technique. METHODS: The four human cadaveric lumbar specimens were provided by the anatomy teaching and research department of Xinjiang Medical University and four intact finite element models of the L1-S1 segment were generated. For each of these, three transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion procedures with three different fixation techniques were reconstructed at the L4-L5 segment, as follows: TT-TT (TT at both L4 and L5 segments), CBT-CBT (CBT at both L4 and L5 segments), MCBT-MCBT (MCBT at both L4 and L5 segments). The range of motion and von Mises stress of the intervertebral disc of the L3-L4 and L5-S1 segments were recorded with a 400N compressive load and 7.5 Nm moments in flexion, extension, left-right bending, and left-right rotation. RESULTS: The peak ROM of the L3-L4 segment in the MCBT-MCBT group was reduced by 10.5%, 6.1%, 12.2%, 4.1%, and 1.5% in flexion, extension, left-right bending, and left rotation compared to the TT-TT group and reduced by 1.8%, 5.5%, 10.0%, 12.8%, and 8.8% in flexion, left-right bending, and left-right rotation compared to the CBT-CBT group, respectively. The MCBT-MCBT group has the lowest peak ROM of the L3-L4 segment in flexion, left bending, and right rotation, the lowest peak ROM of the L5-S1 segment in extension and right rotation, and the lowest peak von Mises stress of the intervertebral disc at the L5-S1 segment in right rotation compared to the TT-TT and CBT-CBT group. In addition, the peak von Mises stress at the L3-L4 segment was lowest and more dispersed in all motions, the MCBT-MCBT group exhibited lower peak ROM of the L5-S1 segment in flexion, extension, and right rotation, and showed lower peak von Mises stress of the disc at the L5-S1 segment in flexion, extension, and right rotation compared with the TT-TT group. CONCLUSION: The modified cortical bone trajectory technique may have a beneficial effect on reducing the incidence of ASD in the L4-L5 TLIF model compared to the traditional bone trajectory technique and cortical bone trajectory technique.

Review on chitosan-based antibacterial hydrogels: Preparation, mechanisms, and applications.

Chitosan (CS) is known for its remarkable properties, such as good biocompatibility, biodegradability, and renewability, in addition to its antibacterial and biological activities. However, as CS is insoluble in water, it displays limited antibacterial performance under neutral and physiological conditions. A viable solution to this problem is grafting chemically modified groups onto the CS framework, thereby increasing its solubility and enhancing its antibacterial effect. Herein, the antibacterial action mechanism of CS and its derivatives is reviewed, confirming the prevalent use of composite materials comprising CS and its derivatives as an antibacterial agent. Generally, the antimicrobial ability of CS-based biomaterials can be enhanced by incorporating supplementary polymers and antimicrobial agents. Research on CS-based composite biomaterials is ongoing and numerous types of biomaterials have been reported, including inorganic nanoparticles, antibacterial agents, and CS derivatives. The development of these composite materials has considerably expanded the application of CS-based antibacterial materials. This study reviews the latest progress in research regarding CS-based composite hydrogels for wound repair, tissue engineering, drug release, water purification, and three-dimensional printing applications. Finally, the summary and future outlook of CS-based antibacterial hydrogels are presented in anticipation of a broader range of applications of CS-based antibacterial hydrogels.

Clinical sonochemotherapy of inoperable pancreatic cancer using diagnostic ultrasound and microbubbles: a multicentre, open-label, randomised, controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: Sonochemotherapy, which uses microbubble (MB)-assisted ultrasound (US) to deliver chemotherapeutic agents, has the potential to enhance tumour chemotherapy. The combination of US and MB has been demonstrated to prolong the survival of patients with pancreatic cancer. This phase 2 clinical trial aimed to determine the clinical efficacy and safety of sonochemotherapy for inoperable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma by using US and MB. METHODS: Eighty-two patients with stage III or IV pancreatic cancer were recruited from July 2018 to March 2021 and followed up until September 2022. US treatment was performed with a modified diagnostic US scanner for 30 min after chemotherapeutic infusion. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS), and the secondary endpoints were Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) status < 2, progression-free survival (PFS), disease control rate (DCR), and adverse events. RESULTS: Seventy-eight patients were randomly allocated (40 to chemotherapy and 38 to sonochemotherapy). The median OS was longer with sonochemotherapy than with chemotherapy (9.10 vs. 6.10 months; p = 0.037). The median PFS with sonochemotherapy was 5.50 months, compared with 3.50 months (p = 0.080) for chemotherapy. The time of ECOG status < 2 was longer with sonochemotherapy (7.20 months) than with chemotherapy (5.00 months; p = 0.029). The DCR was 73.68% for sonochemotherapy compared with 42.50% for the control (p = 0.005). The incidence of overall adverse events was balanced between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The use of sonochemotherapy can extend the survival and well-being time of stage III or IV pancreatic cancer patients without any increase in serious adverse events. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChineseClinicalTrials.gov ChiCTR2100044721 CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: This multicentre, randomised, controlled trial has proven that sonochemotherapy, namely, the combination of diagnostic ultrasound, microbubbles, and chemotherapy, could extend the overall survival of patients with end-stage pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma from 6.10 to 9.10 months without increasing any serious adverse events. KEY POINTS: • This is the first multicentre, randomised, controlled trial of sonochemotherapy for clinical pancreatic cancer treatment using ultrasound and a commercial ultrasound contrast agent. • Sonochemotherapy extended the median overall survival from 6.10 (chemotherapy alone) to 9.10 months. • The disease control rate increased from 42.50% with chemotherapy to 73.68% with sonochemotherapy.

Catalytic removal of gaseous pollutant NO using CO: Catalyst structure and reaction mechanism.

Carbon monoxide (CO) has recently been considered an ideal reducing agent to replace NH3 in selective catalytic reduction of NOx (NH3-SCR). This shift is particularly relevant in diesel engines, coal-fired industry, the iron and steel industry, of which generate substantial amounts of CO due to incomplete combustion. Developing high-performance catalysts remain a critical challenge for commercializing this technology. The active sites on catalyst surface play a crucial role in the various microscopic reaction steps of this reaction. This work provides a comprehensive overview and insights into the reaction mechanism of active sites on transition metal- and noble metal-based catalysts, including the types of intermediates and active sites, as well as the conversion mechanism of active molecules or atoms. In addition, the effects of factors such as O2, SO2, and alkali metals, on NO reduction by CO were discussed, and the prospects for catalyst design are proposed. It is hoped to provide theoretical guidance for the rational design of efficient CO selective catalytic denitration materials based on the structure-activity relations.

A magnetic beads-based ligand fishing method Coupled with UHPLC-QTOF MS for screening and identification of α-glucosidase inhibitors from Houttuynia cordata Thunb.

In this study, a method for the screening and identification of α-glucosidase inhibitors from natural products was developed. The α-glucosidase was immobilized on carboxyl terminated magnetic beads to form a ligand fishing system to screen the potential inhibitors. A total of 9 compounds were fishing out from the crude Houttuynia cordata Thunb. extract. Meanwhile, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF MS) was used for the identification of the chemical structures, including 3 chlorogenic acid isomers, 2 flavone C-glycosides and 4 flavone O-glycosides. The combination of enzyme immobilization magnetic beads and UHPLC-QTOF MS could be used for the screening of bioactive multi-components from herbs with appropriate targets. Taking the advantage of the specificity of enzyme binding and the convenience of magnetic separation, the method has great potential for rapid screening of α-glucosidase inhibitors from complicated natural product extracts.

Optimized Design of Solid-Liquid Dual-Impeller Mixing Systems for Enhanced Efficiency.

Flow interferences occur in the dual-impeller stirred tank between paddles as well as between paddles and baffles and the tank wall, leading to inefficient utilization of the stirring energy. To address this issue, this study investigates the flow characteristics within the mixing tank using Euler-Euler numerical simulation and the particle image velocimetry (PIV) experimental method. The three-dimensional nonconstant flow characteristics are analyzed to optimize the critical stirrer geometry. By employing the Sobol method, an approximate model is established for sensitivity analysis to identify key parameters affecting the solid-liquid dual-impeller stirred tank's performance. Numerical simulations demonstrate that the optimized stirred tank exhibits a significantly improved solid-liquid suspension capacity and considerably reduces flow losses near the wall and baffle areas. Under the designated conditions, the cloud height is increased by 8.7%, and power consumption is reduced by 15.6% compared to the prototype. PIV tests performed on the stirred tank before and after optimization confirmed the reliability of the obtained optimization results. The primary objective of this study is to enhance mixing efficiency and homogeneity in solid-liquid mixing tanks while concurrently minimizing energy consumption and cost. These results validate the feasibility of employing a multiobjective optimal design approach that combines the RBF agent model with the Sobol method. The findings offer valuable insights for the design of similar mixing tanks.

Syntheses and Characterizations of Hetero-Bimetallic Chromium-Dinitrogen Transition-Metal Complexes.

In the domain of N2 activation, hetero-bimetallic dinitrogen complexes are garnering substantial interest due to their potential to induce polarization in nonpolar N2 gas. Herein, we present the syntheses and characterizations of three novel hetero-multimetallic dinitrogen complexes: Cp*Cr(depe)N2V(depe)Me[O, P, O] 5, Cp*Cr(depe)N2V(depe)Tipp[O, P, O] 6, and [Cp*Cr(depe)N2]2TiTipp[O, P, O] 7. These complexes were synthesized via a transmetalation process involving the treatment of [Cr0-N2]- complex 4 with vanadium and titanium chloride complexes bearing alkyl or aryl substituted bis(o-hydroxyphenyl)-phenyl phosphine R[O, P, O] ligand (alkyl = methyl, aryl = 2,4,6-tri-isopropylbenzene). X-ray analysis shows that complexes 5 and 6 exhibit heterodinuclear structures, while complex 7 exhibits a heterotrinuclear core with two N2 ligands concurrently coordinated to two chromium and one titanium atoms. Raman spectroscopic data show that the N-N stretching vibration of the N2 moiety is clearly downshifted relative to free N2 and to mononuclear [Cr0-N2]- complex 4.

The application and progress of tissue engineering and biomaterial scaffolds for total auricular reconstruction in microtia.

Microtia is a congenital deformity of the ear with an incidence of about 0.8-4.2 per 10,000 births. Total auricular reconstruction is the preferred treatment of microtia at present, and one of the core technologies is the preparation of cartilage scaffolds. Autologous costal cartilage is recognized as the best material source for constructing scaffold platforms. However, costal cartilage harvest can lead to donor-site injuries such as pneumothorax, postoperative pain, chest wall scar and deformity. Therefore, with the need of alternative to autologous cartilage, in vitro and in vivo studies of biomaterial scaffolds and cartilage tissue engineering have gradually become novel research hot points in auricular reconstruction research. Tissue-engineered cartilage possesses obvious advantages including non-rejection, minimally invasive or non-invasive, the potential of large-scale production to ensure sufficient donors and controllable morphology. Exploration and advancements of tissue-engineered cartilaginous framework are also emerging in aspects including three-dimensional biomaterial scaffolds, acquisition of seed cells and chondrocytes, 3D printing techniques, inducing factors for chondrogenesis and so on, which has greatly promoted the research process of biomaterial substitute. This review discussed the development, current application and research progress of cartilage tissue engineering in auricular reconstruction, particularly the usage and creation of biomaterial scaffolds. The development and selection of various types of seed cells and inducing factors to stimulate chondrogenic differentiation in auricular cartilage were also highlighted. There are still confronted challenges before the clinical application becomes widely available for patients, and its long-term effect remains to be evaluated. We hope to provide guidance for future research directions of biomaterials as an alternative to autologous cartilage in ear reconstruction, and finally benefit the transformation and clinical application of cartilage tissue engineering and biomaterials in microtia treatment.

Genome-Wide Analysis of MBF1 Family Genes in Five Solanaceous Plants and Functional Analysis of SlER24 in Salt Stress.

Multiprotein bridging factor 1 (MBF1) is an ancient family of transcription coactivators that play a crucial role in the response of plants to abiotic stress. In this study, we analyzed the genomic data of five Solanaceae plants and identified a total of 21 MBF1 genes. The expansion of MBF1a and MBF1b subfamilies was attributed to whole-genome duplication (WGD), and the expansion of the MBF1c subfamily occurred through transposed duplication (TRD). Collinearity analysis within Solanaceae species revealed collinearity between members of the MBF1a and MBF1b subfamilies, whereas the MBF1c subfamily showed relative independence. The gene expression of SlER24 was induced by sodium chloride (NaCl), polyethylene glycol (PEG), ABA (abscisic acid), and ethrel treatments, with the highest expression observed under NaCl treatment. The overexpression of SlER24 significantly enhanced the salt tolerance of tomato, and the functional deficiency of SlER24 decreased the tolerance of tomato to salt stress. SlER24 enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity to reduce the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and alleviated plasma membrane damage under salt stress. SlER24 upregulated the expression levels of salt stress-related genes to enhance salt tolerance in tomato. In conclusion, this study provides basic information for the study of the MBF1 family of Solanaceae under abiotic stress, as well as a reference for the study of other plants.

Exploring the Incentive Function of Virtual Academic Degrees in a Chinese Online Smoking Cessation Community: Qualitative Content Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies on online smoking cessation communities (OSCCs) have shown how such networks contribute to members' health outcomes from behavior influence and social support perspectives. However, these studies rarely considered the incentive function of OSCCs. One of the ways OSCCs motivate smoking cessation behaviors is through digital incentives. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore the incentive function of a novel digital incentive in a Chinese OSCC-the awarding of academic degrees-to promote smoking cessation. It specifically focuses on "Smoking Cessation Bar," an OSCC in the popular web-based Chinese forum Baidu Tieba. METHODS: We collected discussions about the virtual academic degrees (N= 1193) from 540 members of the "Smoking Cessation Bar." The time frame of the data set was from November 15, 2012, to November 3, 2021. Drawing upon motivational affordances theory, 2 coders qualitatively coded the data. RESULTS: We identified five key topics of discussion, including members' (1) intention to get virtual academic degrees (n=38, 2.47%), (2) action to apply for the degrees (n=312, 20.27%), (3) feedback on the accomplishment of goals (n=203, 13.19%), (4) interpersonal interaction (n=794, 51.59%), and (5) expression of personal feelings (n=192, 12.48%). Most notably, the results identified underlying social and psychological motivations behind using the forum to discuss obtaining academic degrees for smoking cessation. Specifically, members were found to engage in sharing behavior (n=423, 27.49%) over other forms of interaction such as providing recommendations or encouragement. Moreover, expressions of personal feelings about achieving degrees were generally positive. It was possible that members hid their negative feelings (such as doubt, carelessness, and dislike) in the discussion. CONCLUSIONS: The virtual academic degrees in the OSCC created opportunities for self-presentation for participants. They also improved their self-efficacy to persist in smoking cessation by providing progressive challenges. They served as social bonds connecting different community members, triggering interpersonal interactions, and inducing positive feelings. They also helped realize members' desire to influence or to be influenced by others. Similar nonfinancial rewards could be adopted in various smoking cessation projects to enhance participation and sustainability.

Mechanisms and applications of adipose-derived stem cell-extracellular vesicles in the inflammation of wound healing.

Wound healing is a sophisticated process consisting of serial phases with overlaps, including hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. The inflammation response is an early response that plays a crucial role in eliminating microbes and clearing damaged cell debris. However, in some pathological circumstances, such as diabetes mellitus, ischemia, trauma, deep burn, etc., abnormal inflammation can cause impaired wound healing. Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) belong to the mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) family and exhibit prospective applications in tissue regeneration and dermatological repairs. ADSC-secreted extracellular vesicles (ADSC-EVs) mimic the functions of ADSCs without the concerns of cell survival, immune response, or ethical issues. Studies have revealed that ADSC-EVs can inhibit abnormal inflammation responses and accelerate wound healing through various mechanisms. Moreover, some studies explored modifications in the cargo components of ADSC-EVs to enhance their therapeutic efficacy. Given the increasing studies focusing on the potential of ADSC-EVs in wound healing, how they interfere with different phases of this process has been investigated in pieces. In this review, we summarized all up-to-date evidence to map a clearer picture of the underlying mechanisms of ADSC-EVs in inflammation response. The applications of ADSC-EVs aiming at inflammation in the healing process were also reviewed to provide therapeutic strategies for future investigators.

From pandemic to Plandemic: Examining the amplification and attenuation of COVID-19 misinformation on social media.

This study examines the proliferation of COVID-19 misinformation through Plandemic-a pseudo-documentary of COVID-19 conspiracy theories-on social media and examines how factors such as (a) themes of misinformation, (b) types of misinformation, (c) sources of misinformation, (d) emotions of misinformation, and (e) fact-checking labels amplify or attenuate online misinformation during the early days of the pandemic. Using CrowdTangle, a Facebook API, we collected a total of 5732 publicly available Facebook pages posts containing Plandemic-related keywords from January 1 to December 19, 2020. A random sample of 600 posts was subsequently coded, and the data were analyzed using negative binomial regression to examine factors associated with amplification and attenuation. Overall, the extended an extended Social Amplification of Risk Framework (SARF) provided a theoretical lens to understand why certain misinformation was amplified, while others were attenuated. As for posts with misinformation, results showed that themes related to private firms, treatment and prevention of virus transmission, diagnosis and health impacts, virus origins, and social impact were more likely to be amplified. While the different types of misinformation (manipulated, fabricated, or satire) and emotions were not associated with amplification, the type of fact-check labels did influence the virality of misinformation. Specifically, posts that were flagged as false by Facebook were more likely to be amplified, while the virality of posts flagged as containing partially false information was attenuated. Theoretical and practical implications were discussed.

Mechanosensitive non-equilibrium supramolecular polymerization in closed chemical systems.

Chemical fuel-driven supramolecular systems have been developed showing out-of-equilibrium functions such as transient gelation and oscillations. However, these systems suffer from undesired waste accumulation and they function only in open systems. Herein, we report non-equilibrium supramolecular polymerizations in a closed system, which is built by viologens and pyranine in the presence of hydrazine hydrate. On shaking, the viologens are quickly oxidated by air followed by self-assembly of pyranine into micrometer-sized nanotubes. The self-assembled nanotubes disassemble spontaneously over time by the reduced agent, with nitrogen as the only waste product. Our mechanosensitive dissipative system can be extended to fabricate a chiral transient supramolecular helix by introducing chiral-charged small molecules. Moreover, we show that shaking induces transient fluorescence enhancement or quenching depending on substitution of viologens. Ultrasound is introduced as a specific shaking way to generate template-free reproducible patterns. Additionally, the shake-driven transient polymerization of amphiphilic naphthalenetetracarboxylic diimide serves as further evidence of the versatility of our mechanosensitive non-equilibrium system.

Complication, fusion, and revision rate in the lumbar cortical bone trajectory and pedicle screw fixation techniques: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: To obtain the complication rate, fusion rate, and revision rate of the lumbar cortical bone trajectory technique and pedicle screw fixation technique in lumbar interbody fusion surgery by single-arm meta-analysis and lay a basis for orthopedic surgeons to select the fixation techniques and perioperative management. METHODS: PubMed, Ovid Medline, Web of Science, CNKI, and Wanfang databases were searched comprehensively. Data extraction, content analysis, and quality assessment of the literature were performed by two independent reviewers according to the Cochrane Collaboration guidelines using R and STATA software for single-arm meta-analysis. RESULTS: The total complication rate of the lumbar cortical bone trajectory technique was 6%, including a hardware complication rate of 2%, ASD (adjacent segment degeneration) rate of 1%, wound infection rate of 1%, dural damage rate of 1%, hematoma rate tending to 0%, fusion rate of 94%, and revision rate of 1%. Lumbar pedicle screw fixation techniques had a total complication rate of 9%, with a hardware complication rate of 2%, ASD rate of 3%, wound infection rate of 2%, dural damage rate of 1%, hematoma rate tending to 0%, fusion rate of 94%, and revision rate of 5%. This study was registered with PROSPERO, CRD42022354550. CONCLUSION: Lumbar cortical bone trajectory was associated with a lower total complication rate, ASD rate, wound infection rate, and revision rate than pedicle screw fixation. The cortical bone trajectory technique reduces the incidence of intraoperative and postoperative complications and can be an alternative in lumbar interbody fusion surgery.